When preconceptions get in the way…writes Ambassador Yosef Livne

Academics have been debating the issue of neutrality in research. Most agree that the choice of subject can’t be neutral, but the essence of research, namely the methodology and transparency ought to be colorblind and should not reflect personal views.

Yosef Livne

The ceasefire in and around Gaza is can be a harbinger of a new dawn for the people on both sides of the border. We in Israel certainly harbor no ill feelings towards the people in Gaza. This has been our position all along. Our objectives throughout the last 50 days have always been the terrorists of Hamas and their cohorts. Despite their efforts to adorn themselves with such titles as “Resistance”, they remain nothing more than an organization of extremist and fundamentalist thugs. I am certain that those who have some knowledge of the Resistance movements in Nazi occupied Europe will reject this thinly veiled attempt to crown murderers as freedom fighters. When did real resistance movements target civilian population? When did freedom fighters declare their goal to be the annihilation of another country?

The ceasefire that came into effect today is really not much different from the proposal put forward by Egypt a while ago. It has no time limit and does not include any of the conditions put forward by Hamas. At this stage, the new truce will permit the transfer of reconstruction equipment and supplies into Gaza. These will be subjected to an oversight mechanism between Israel and the International organizations operating in Gaza. The fishing zone will be restored and in the future, the possibility of its expansion will be evaluated. As we learn of the new development, we shouldn’t lose sight that even during the conflict, the crossing points from Israel to Gaza have been opened for Humanitarian aid and that prior to the Hamas aggression, close to 20,000 trucks crossed over from Israel. Some blockade…

The coming month is especially important. Let us not lose sight of Hamas negative record in all matters concerning the respect of cease fire. Should they honor it, an opportunity will be created for the discussion of a variety of issues. The demilitarization of Gaza is certainly an issue which will be raised by Israel.

Comments

This hasbara has become hollow from constant misuse. Hamas is sectarian but no more sectarian than Likud. Hamas had repeatedly held out the offer of an indefinite ceasefire and the Arab League had offered full diplomatic recognition. But Israel continues to create facts on the ground in the West Bank and tried to topple Hamas in Gaza through Dhalan. Hamas, despite its past terror, is the one major obstacle to the Yeretz Yisrael project.

Israel has to simply remove its settlement and let Hamas and Fatah settle their differences. The military might of Hamas is tiny compared to that of Israel and its principal supporter USA. It cannot ever dream of matching nuclear Israel’s military prowess.

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